Electrically Conductive Inks – Tools for Inventors

One of the great new products of the last few years, has been electrically conductive inks whereby circuits and current tracing designs can be created using the inks and now, through inkjet printers. As DuPont describes on their site, using the ink for the surface of a photovoltaic cell to host its circuitry in a lightweight, efficient process.

Electrically conductive Inks conduct electricity wherever they are printed, drawn or painted, as the name suggests. They are made by combining inks with nano- and micro-particles of silver, carbon or graphite with various ink bodies as carriers. The most common base for electrically conductive inks is polyester and plastic based synthetic inks to provide a smooth, even flow across the printed circuit channel for the electricity to move unimpeded.

Some electrically conductive inks are specially formulated for high heat and other specialized applications such as high conductivity, strong adhesion to the surface, resistance to cracking or creasing, durability in various environments and for the level of electrical resistivity.

Electrically conductive inks provide a great way for inventors, circuit designers, home hobbyists, makers and innovators to invent new circuits specific to the task without a massive manufacturing outlay to accomplish it.

manufacturer of electrically conductive inks for printed electronics and sensors. Nagase America focuses on specialized technologies for manufacturing including adhesives and conductives, among other things.

Google Listing of one patent for electrically conductive ink –

It is well worth reading through this document’s description and background art to understand what is already available and in use for inventing, creating, innovating, prototyping and manufacturing in electrically conductive inks, films and substrates. Very interesting.